Fundraisers and Charity

UUCD Rummage Sale

Huge rummage sale at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth. Shop for books, furniture, household goods, games, craft materials, gardening tools, sporting goods and much more.

LWV Duluth Plant & Book Sale 2026

The League of Women Voters of Duluth presents this annual plant and book sale in the parking lot at Mount Royal Foods. The sale features flowers, veggies, native plants, seedlings and a variety of books. Items cost $1-25.

LWV Duluth funds voter forums, youth civic engagement projects, member scholarships, education forums, a Citizen’s in Action event and more.

For more information visit lwvduluth.org.

MSO Pops Orchestra and Jumpsuit

The Mesabi Symphony Orchestra’s annual fundraiser is funk-forward this year as the MSO Pops Orchestra joins with Jumpsuit, one of the hottest bands in Duluth. The night features Jumpsuit’s funky takes on all of the hits, including some originals.

A reception with a cash bar follows the show. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7.

Tickets are $35 online at tickettailor.com and $40 at the door.

Head of the Lakes United Way Summer 2026 Day of Caring

Head of the Lakes United Way’s Summer Day of Caring is a community-wide event where hundreds of volunteers complete projects for local nonprofit agencies. Volunteering is a direct and hands-on effort to help advance the missions of these local organizations.

Volunteer sign-up at galaxydigital.com closes on June 8.

Thunderbird Warrior Challenge 2026

The second annual Thunderbird Warrior Challenge in Bayfield is Wisconsin’s northernmost trail run and the only run with views of the Apostle Islands. The event features 50k, 25k and 10k trail run options and a 5k run with obstacles. There are also games, entertainment and activities throughout the day.

The run courses feature a mix of rolling trails, technical singletrack and panoramic vistas of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. Runners explore diverse terrains, including old-growth maple stands and sandy pine forests, with challenging climbs and descents through glacial topography. Notable highlights include passing the historic Nourse Sugarbush State Natural Area and taking in views from Mt. Ashwabay.

The challenge kicks off at 6 a.m. with the 50k trail run, followed by the 25k and 10k races at 8 a.m., and a 5K fun run and obstacle course at 9 a.m.

This event is also a chance to honor veterans and first responders, with discounts for those groups and free entry for active-duty military personnel.

All proceeds from the event benefit Camp Benesi and Mt. Ashwabay Outdoor Recreation Area.

Camp Benesi is a nonprofit recreational getaway for veterans and Gold Star families who are grieving loss or dealing with the effects of military service. Created in honor of MSGT. Jonathan J. Dunbar, who was killed in action in 2018, Camp Benesi’s mission is to provide a safe and peaceful retreat for its guests to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and connect with others who share similar experiences. It offers free lodging, meals and activities at no cost to its guests.

Mt. Ashwabay is a nonprofit ski and recreation area dedicated to promoting outdoor activities and community engagement throughout the greater Chequamegon Bay area.

On-site (primitive) camping is available for those looking to immerse themselves in the event and the beautiful natural surroundings.

John S. Werner Memorial 5K Run-Walk 2026

St. Louis County Historical Society and its Veterans Memorial Hall hold an annual 5k run/walk to honor the memory of Command Sergeant Major John S. Werner. The start time is 9 a.m. with a short ceremony at 8:45 a.m. The entry fee is $35. Runners can register via runsignup.com.

Dave Anderson of Northern News Now and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the master of ceremonies.

CSM Werner was committed to the mission of St. Louis County Historical Society and to veterans. He was steadfast in his work to preserve the storied lineage of local veterans so their memories remain a lasting part of the fabric of the community.

Proceeds benefit the programs of SLCHS’s Veterans Memorial Hall, including the society’s annual Remembrance Dinner, the Mike Colalillo Scholarship, VMH’s “History in a Pint” programs, Veterans Day commemorations and improvements to Medal of Honor Row at the St. Louis County Depot.

Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

The Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is coming to Duluth. As part of the first coast-to-coast Torch Run in USA Games history, Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers are carring the Flame of Hope side-by-side through communities across the country on the road to Minnesota and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games.

Community members are invited to Duluth City Hall to attend and celebrate inclusion while cheering on local torch bearers during this historic journey, which spans approximately 10,000 miles across 13 states before culminating at the Opening Ceremony in Minneapolis on June 20.

Visit 2026usagames.org to track the Flame of Hope and to learn more event details and updates.

Arc Northland 75th Anniversary: Chocolate After Dark

Celebrate 75 years of impact, inclusion and community with Arc Northland at Chocolate After Dark commemorating 75 years of service and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families across the Northland.

Guests will enjoy curated chocolate tasting experience, signature cocktails & bar service, live entertainment and legacy awards & recognition program

Cookies on Tap 2026

Girl Scouts Lakes and Pines partners with local breweries, cideries and restaurants to present the annual Cookies on Tap event, where cookie-inspired brews are paired with appetizers for a fundraiser supporting leadership programming and scholarships for Twin Ports-area Girl Scouts.

The event includes live music and a silent auction.

Tickets are $40 at eventbrite.com. Safe driver tickets are $20. Attendees must be at least 21 years old.

Summer Fest

Everything raised at this event goes directly to the program support for youth, mentors and families through Mentor North. Attendees can expect music from The Gemstones, NurD and DJ Hayes, food from Love Creamery, Oasis Del Norte and R & B Grilled Cheese, yard games and tabletop games, auctions and much more. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. This event is designed for an adult audience. Youth are admitted with a supervising adult. Questions? Contact Samantha @ mentornorth.org or text/call 218-206-4430.

Chum Rhubarb Fest 2026

Chum’s 21st annual Rhubarb Festival promises lots of rhubarb — including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps. This year’s festivities will include crafts, games, kids’ activities, live music and several newly-debuted activities for the entire family.

All proceeds raised through the Rhubarb Festival go directly to Chum, a Duluth nonprofit that serves more than 8,000 people annually who are homeless, low-income, hungry or otherwise marginalized.

Yellowjacket Alumni and Friends Golf Outing

The 39th annual Yellowjacket Alumni and Friends Golf Outing features four-person teams competing on the course to support Yellowjacket athletics.

Registration is available online at cashnet.com. In-person registration opens at 10:30 a.m., prior to the a noon shotgun start. The cost to enter a team is $500, which includes green fees, two carts per team, proximity prizes, a participant gift and food vouchers.

Maxton Gudowski 5k Memorial Run/Walk

This year, all proceeds from online race registration will go to Cooper Community Care, a nonprofit organization based in Superior and dedicated to reducing the impact of poverty on local families and ensuring a more equitable education for all children in the community. There will also be a raffle on the day of the race, with proceeds going to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center.

Rocky Wall Benefit House Concert: Lolo’s Ghost

Lolo’s Ghost is spending a full weekend in Silver Bay, where they will be performing an up-close and personal show to help raise funds for Rocky Wall Entertainment.

The show is at a private residence, with 40 living room tickets and 20 deck tickets available. Attendees can park in the lot at the intersection of Mt. Rockwood Road and Rocky Wall Road. Silver Bay Shuttle is providing rides to and from the concert venue.

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.

Tickets are available at zeffy.com. A portion of each ticket purchased is considered a tax-deductible donation to Rocky Wall Entertainment.

GGTA North Shore Bike Ride & Roll

The 26th annual North Shore Bike Ride is an annual celebration of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. This year again features 8-, 28-, 34- and 55-mile ride options, and kids under 18 ride free with a paid adult participant.

Online and mail-in registration options are available at ggta.org.

Gala on the Grass 2026

Lake Superior Zoo hosts its annual Gala on the Grass, an outdoor event dedicated to wildlife conservation and the animals in its care. Guests can partake in gourmet dining, drinks and unique animal encounters, followed by a live auction featuring exclusive experiences.

There is also an after-party on the zoo grounds to continue celebrating the zoo’s mission.

Jingle All the Way Craft & Small Business Christmas Show 2026

The 10th annual Jingle All the Way Craft and Small Business Christmas Show brings together local and regional vendors offering handmade gifts, baked goods, holiday décor and creative items for both gifting and daily use. Admission is free, with plenty of parking and easy access.

Each show brings together returning vendors featuring new products, along with new participants, offering a wide variety to explore.

The Daughters of the Nile are serving lunch during the event, and the Shrine Funrazors are also participating.

The event is part of the Katz Meow Craft & Small Business Shows series.